Flyin' to the Hoop Day 3 Live Blog

Kettering, Ohio – The gym was packed, and the talent was thick. It is Day 3 of the 20th annual Flyin’ to the Hoop Invitational. The day is headlined with viewings of Huntington (WV) Huntington Prep and Atlanta (GA) The Skills Factory, but all eyes will be on the nightcap that features Los Angeles (CA) So Cal Academy and Centerville (OH) High.

On3s Jamie Shaw is courtside to bring you all the storylines of the day. We will start with he third game of the day.

College Coach sighting: Virginia Tech, Indiana, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Radford, Murray State, Eastern Kentucky, Miami (OH), Dayton, Wright State, Eastern Michigan, Kent State

Ace Buckner continues big junior season

This is the third time I’ve watched 6-foot-1 junior Ace Buckner with Cleveland (OH) Saint Ignatius. He has been consistently very good each time. Buckner is the son of former NBA’er and Greg Bucker is a guard, equally comfortable playing on the ball or off the ball.

In this one, against nationally ranked Huntington (WV) Huntington Prep, Buckner finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists going 7-of-12 from the field. He has good vision and has not been afraid of any moment.

Saint Ignatius also had a sophomore to watch. 6-foot-8 Damon Friery. The skilled forward finished with 11 points and 5 rebounds, going 5-of-8 from the field.

Final score: Cleveland (OH) Saint Ignatius 83, Huntington (WV) Huntington Prep

Lance Hayes made sure we remembered the name

Kent State was sitting courtside, smiling from ear to ear, watching their 6-foot-3 2023 signee Lance Hayes play against Atlanta (GA) The Skill Factory.

Hayes, a guard at Akron (OH) St. Vincent-St. Mary’s finished with a game-high 30 points. It was the impressive, and composed way that he scored was so impressive. It started with the jump shot, but he was confident off two dribbles, getting to his spots and rising up with soft touch. He finished with 32 points on 14-of-23 from the field.

For The Skill Factory, 6-foot-8 junior Lathan Sommerville consistently did some impressive things. Rebounding his area, finishing 15 feet and in, and diving on the floor for loose balls. He had a workmanlike double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Final score: Atlanta (GA) The Skill Factory 56, Akron (OH) St. Vincent-St. Mary’s 63

Lawrent Rice and Marcus Johnson bring crowd to feet

The individual matchup in play for this one was an interesting one. Huber Heights (OH) Wayne High is led by senior Murray State signee Lawrent Rice. Garfield Heights (OH) High is led by freshman Marcus Johnson.

What makes this matchup interesting is both are slender score-first guards who are left-handed. It is almost like if you fast-forward Johnson’s development over two years, he could be seen in the archetype of a Rice.

At this point, however, in this matchup, Rice was the better of the two. He has a smooth, confident feel of how to get to his spots. Although about 6-foot-1, he has long arms and soft touch with the confidence from all three levels. He finished with a 2023 Flyin’ to the Hoop event-high of 33.

Marcus Johnson showed an ability to make shots and generate offense; he will have to continue getting stronger. Left-handed and about 6-foot-1, like Rice, he has feel in how to get to his spots. However, the straw that stirred the drink was 6-foot-1 junior Calvin Little. Little is a strong-framed guard with solid length. He played tough, with an ability to handle, shoot, and pass.

For Garfield Heights, keep an eye on 6-foot-8 junior Deandre Jones. He has a lot of natural tools with a frame ready for growth.

Deandre Jones had 18 points on 7-10 FG. Calvin Little had 12 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists.

Lawrent Rice – 33 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 10-17 FG
Marcus Johnson – 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7-13 FG

Final score: Huber Heights (OH) Wayne High 71, Garfield Heights (OH) High School 75